Update from Staff Writer Matthew Haag, 6:07 p.m.:Solis no longer works at Stand for Children. He is now director of community affairs at Symphonic Source, a software development company.

Symphonic Source's CEO, Ken Barth, has become a powerful player in Dallas ISD school board campaigns in recent years. He helped start Dallas Kids First, an influential political action committee, that has raised $420,000 the past year and a half, according to state records. Barth has contributed $144,000 of that, and an employee at Symphonic Source runs the daily operations at the organization.

Dallas Kids First endorsed Solis earlier this month, but Solis' relationship with the organization was not disclosed.

Original story:

If campaign war chests are any indication, Miguel Solis will have a clear path to the vacant District 8 board seat in Dallas ISD. The candidate received $24,750 in contributions in the most recent campaign finance reporting period, compared to $732 brought in by his opponent, Kristi Lara. The election is Nov. 5.

Solis, 27, is director of community affairs at Symphonic Source (Note: Solis' job description has been updated). He taught in DISD and is a former special assistant to Superintendent Mike Miles. His biggest donation, $10,000, came from the Educate Dallas political action committee.

He also received $5,000 from Container Store co-founder Garrett Boone and his wife, Cecilia. Former DISD trustee Rafael Anchia gave him $500. Attorney Domingo Garcia and his wife, Elba, kicked in $1,000. Former DISD trustee Edwin Flores and his wife, Jesica, gave $500.

Lara, 36, received smaller donations from various people. Of note, Michael MacNaughton, who monitors DISD issues, gave her an in-kind contribution of $50 for website work. Lara has been a community organizer for nonprofit organizations, including Jobs for Justice. She is currently unemployed.

Lara’s campaign treasurer is former DISD board president Lois Parrott. Former Dallas City council member John Loza is Solis’ campaign treasurer.

The District 8 seat includes Love Field, northwest Dallas and central Dallas. It was left vacant after Adam Medrano won a seat on the Dallas City Council in May. The winning candidate will serve his remaining term, which ends in May 2014. The seat will then be up for election for the full three-year term.

Whoever is elected could have an impact on embattled Superintendent Mike Miles' tenure in the district. Solis is viewed as more supportive of Miles than Lara.

Both candidates filled out questionnaires for the Dallas Morning News’ editorial board. Read their answers here.